Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-02-12
CHAPTER XXI.

Hardyman won't on to the cottage He
found Isabel in some agitation. And there
by her side, with his tail wagging slowly and
his eye on Hisrdyman in expectation of a
possible kick-there was the lost Tommie!
HAS Lady Lydisrd gone" Isabel asked,
eagerly
Eyes," said Hardyman. "Where did you
find the dogs'
As events had ordered It, the dog had found
Isabel-under these circumstances:
The appearance of Lady Lydiard's card in
the smoking room had been an alarming
event for Lady Lydiards adopted daughter
She was guiltily conscious of not having an
swered her ladyships note, inclosed in Miss
Pink's letter, and of not having taken her
ladyship's advice in resisting the advances of
Hardyman. AS he rose to leave the room
and receive his visitor in the grounds, Isabel
entreated him to say nothing of her presence
at the farm, unless Lady Lydiard exhibited a
forgiving turn of mind by asking to see her
Lett by herself in the smoking room she sud
denly heard bark in the passage which had
familiar sound in her ears. She opened
the door, and in rushed Tommie, with one
of his shrieks Of delight. Curiosity
had taken him into the house. He had
heard the voices In the smoking room, had
recognized Isabel's voice, and had waited,
with his customary cunning and his GUS
tomary distrust Of strangers, until Hardy
man was out Of the way. Isabel kissed and
caressed him, and then drove him out again
to the lawn, fearing that Lady Lydiard
might return to look for him. Going back
to the smoking room, she stood at the win
dow watching for Hardymans return
When the servants came in to look for the
dog, she could only tell them that she had
last seen him in the grounds, not far from
the cottage The useless search being aban-
doned. and the carriage having left the gate,
who should crawl out from the back Of a
cupboard in which some empty hampers
were placed but Tommie HIMSELF How he
had contrived TO get back to the smoking
room UNLESS she had omitted to completely
close the door on her RETURN it wns impos-
sible to say. But there he was determined
this time to stay with Isabel, and keeping in
his hiding place until he heard the move
ment of the carriage wheels, which informed
him that his lawful mistress had left the
cottage. Isabel had at once called TO Hardy
man, on the chance that the carriage might
yet be stopped 1t was already out OF sight,
anu hODOuJ hu6W WnlCn VI bWO 1OduS IL NAG
taken, both leading to London. In this
emergency Isabel could only look at Hardy
man, and ask what was to be done.
II can't spare servant till after the
party" he answered 1.-THE dog must be
tied up at the stables"
Isabel shook her head Tommie was NOT
accustomed TO be tied up He would make a
disturbance, and he would be beaten by the
grooms. 81 win take care Of him" she said.
"He won't leave me-"
There's something else TO think Of besides
the dog" Hardyman rejoined irritably.
Look at these lettersP' he pulled them out
Of bis pocket as he spoke. Here are no less
than seven men, all calling themselves my
friends, who accepted my invitation, and who
/ write to excuse themselves on the very day
of the partyi Do you know whyi They'rs
all afraid OF my father; forgot 10 tell you
hes cabinet minister 80 wen a. lord
towards and cadsi they have heard be ISM
coming, and they think to curry favor with